by DAXIM L. LUCAS, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 16 Nov 2019
The World Health Organization (WHO) has lauded the Philippines’ efforts to impose higher excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products as an international model for cost-effective promotion of health and reduction of non-communicable diseases.
In a report about the country’s groundbreaking efforts, WHO said the Duterte administration’s “actions to prevent non-communicable diseases in the Philippines are relatively cheap and cost-effective,” adding that the scheme “identifies which policy packages would provide the greatest returns on investment.”
This government’s earmarking of excise taxes on alcohol, tobacco and nicotine vapor products for implementing universal healthcare makes the Philippines “a forerunner in allocating sin tax revenue to health programs,” the report stressed.
The study comes as the departments of Finance and of Health jointly push for the urgent passage of Senate Bill No. 1074, which significantly raises “sin” tax rates on alcohol, heated tobacco and e-cigarette products.
“Most of these policy interventions are also WHO best buys: that is, effective interventions with a cost-effectiveness ratio of less than or equal to 100 international dollars per disability-adjusted life-year averted in low- and middle-income countries,” the report said of the country’s “sin” tax measures.
Meanwhile, the finance department also expressed support for the WHO report’s recommendation of adopting comprehensive approaches to tackling non-communicable diseases.—
March –
IT’S WOMEN’S MONTH!
“Respect and support women
every day of the year/s!”
Invoke Article 33 of the ILO Constitution
against the military junta in Myanmar
to carry out the recommendations of the 2021 ILO Commission of Inquiry
against serious violations of protocols of
Forced Labour and Freedom of Association.
Accept the National Unity Government (NUG)
of Myanmar. Reject Military!
#WearMask #WashHands
#Report Corruption #SearchPosts #TakePicturesVideos
Monthly Observances:
Women’s Role in History Month
Weekly Observances:
Week 1: Environmental Week;
Women’s Week
Week 3: Philippine Industry and “
Made-in-the-Philippines Products Week
Last Week: Protection and Gender-Fair Treatment
of the Girl Child Week
Daily Observances:
March 8: Women’s Rights and
International Peace Day;
National Women’s Day
March 4: Employee Appreciation Day
March 15: World Consumer Rights Day
March 18: Global Recycling Day
March 21: International Day for the Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
March 23: International Day for the Right to the Truth
Concerning Gross Human Rights Violations
and for the Dignity of Victims
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the
Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 27: Earth Hour
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